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Friday, February 7

Justice vs. safety: Washington lawmakers clash over sentencing reform bill
House Bill 1125 (HB 1125) would allow certain incarcerated individuals to petition for a reduced sentence if their original sentence no longer aligns with the “interests of justice.” Judges would have judicial discretion to determine what qualifies as the “interests of justice.” Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (MyNorthwest )

Bill to ban concentrated sodium nitrite heads to Washington Senate after overwhelming House vote
Vasquez-Stickley is the mother of Tyler Schmidt, who died by suicide in 2020 at the age of 15. The Camas, Wash. mother has since advocated for the bill and has testified before legislative committees. The legislative push follows a KING 5 investigation revealing Amazon sold the product despite repeated warnings about its misuse. Continue reading at King 5. (King 5)

Why a WA lawmaker wants to collect data on cow farts and burps
The latest beef in Olympia? Cow burps, farts, and poops. Washington lawmakers are considering a bill that seeks to gather better data on the scale and scope of methane emissions released by dairies and feedlots in the state. House Bill 1630 is sponsored by Rep. Lisa Parshley, D-Olympia, who was previously a veterinarian and has a Ph.D. in biochemistry. The bill received a hearing in the House Environment & Energy Committee on Thursday. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Getty Images)

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Aberdeen Daily World
Lawmakers wrestle with juvenile correctional facility crisis (Wilson)
Congresswoman Emily Randall visits Grays Harbor College

Bellingham Herald
Seattle judge is second to indefinitely block Trump’s birthright citizenship order
WA bill aims to preserve single-family homes for first-time buyers, limit large investors (Alvarado)
From the Editor: Making sense of all the chaos as Trump attempts to reshape our world
‘We are all Americans’: Bellingham crowd gathers to protest Trump administration actions
‘Outright hostility.’ 100s of fed workers fear for their jobs at contaminated WA nuclear site

Capital Press
Administration to reconsider Corporate Transparency Act details
Washington sheriffs would welcome bigger role in wolf management
Airport dispute spurs proposal to strengthen Oregon land use rulings

Courier-Herald
Incredible support for Washington bill for local journalism (Liias)

The Daily News
Cowlitz County, Rainier officials plan for safer roads

Everett Herald
Rehabilitated bald eagle released at Ballinger Park
Developers challenge Snohomish River Watershed legal rights
Everett council approves $111 million construction of sewer project
Goal for Everett coalition: Make it easier for young people to find jobs

The Inlander
Manufactured home owners are reimagining stable housing as local communities face untenable rent increases

International Examiner
Nikkei community celebrates mochitsuki event at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church

News Tribune
What’s that construction near the state fairgrounds in Puyallup? Here’s what we know
Federal government employs thousands in WA. What if they take Trump’s ‘buyout’ offer?

Olympian
WA Superintendent Reykdal says he’s working with AG on response to Trump’s transgender ban

Puget Sound Business Journal
Lawmakers take aim at Covid small-business loan collections
Washington’s missing millionaires. Big earners took a turn in 2022

Seattle Medium
UW Basketball Teams Design Their Own Warm-up Shirts To Honor Black History

Seattle Times
WA public health leaders frustrated over CDC data purges
New UW president prepared to navigate Trump DEI crackdown
Trump administration orders states to halt EV charging programs
Abandoned in the middle of clinical trials, because of a Trump order
Judge in Seattle accuses Trump of trying to change the Constitution
Bremerton mayor pauses hiring DEI manager after Trump executive order
In a departure for WA governors, Ferguson avoids news conferences (Jinkins)
Seattle Children’s halts some gender-affirming surgeries following Trump order
WA superintendent blasts Trump order on transgender athletes, won’t ‘back down’
Scientists on alert after some NOAA staff ordered to stop talking to people overseas
Opinion: U.S.-Canada relationship needs nurturing, not walls

Spokesman Review
New law adds ID to Department of Corrections reentry plans (Farivar)
Washington governor rescinds wildlife commission appointments
Major federal boost to Spokane’s tree planting effort could be on chopping block
Washington State University names 12th president, first woman in 135-year history
Federal judge in Seattle issues second decision blocking Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Republican who ran USAID under Bush calls dismantling it ‘madness’ as Trump, Musk cut nearly all staff
Opinion: Angela Holmes and Katrina Keffer: Want a better life at work? Get a union

Tri-City Herald
Why does WA have no income tax? That’s shaped class and the economy of Evergreen state
Editorial: Trump’s new energy secretary’s squishy responses on Hanford cause for concern

Washington Post
The White House’s wildly inaccurate claims about USAID spending
Federal judge: Trump ignoring rule of law for ‘political or personal gain’
Secret U.K. order demands Apple allow access to all cloud content from users worldwide
Economy adds 143,000 jobs in January, reflecting a slower but solid pace of growth this year

WA State Standard
Washington could require bars to carry spiked drink drug tests
Why a WA lawmaker wants to collect data on cow farts and burps (Parshley)
Black lawmakers at odds with Ferguson over $100M police hiring plan (Reeves)
Trump administration tells states billions in EV charger money is on hold (Dhingra)

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Pilots could receive paid time off for mental health care under proposal (Liias)
King County weather shelters to remain open as forecast calls for colder temps
Hundreds of Washington police officers could be in danger of being shot by their own guns
Bill to ban concentrated sodium nitrite heads to Washington Senate after overwhelming House vote (Mena)

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Transgender military ban faces new legal challenge in Washington State

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
New UW president pledges to balance safety and free speech
King County prosecutor warns of impacts from proposed budget cuts
Federal judge in Seattle grants injunction in Trump;s birthright citizenship order
WA state leaders respond to Trump order against transgender athletes in women’s sports

KUOW Public Radio
How will Trump’s ban on trans athletes in girls’ sports impact Washington state?

KXLY (ABC)
WSU appoints first woman president in school’s history
Lawmakers narrowly advance proposal for inmate resentencing (Simmons, Davis)
Lawmakers propose compensating parents caring for children with developmental disabilities
Spokane Valley votes to sue Councilmember Al Merkel for violating state law; Merkel alleges retaliation
Potential changes to Department of Education could lead to fewer resources, increased workload for educators

NW Public Radio
Union believes Boeing violated its contract in layoffs
FIFA fan zones excite communities in Tri-Cities, Yakima
Walla Walla’s immigration rapid response team gears up
Regence patients could lose coverage at local hospitals, cancer clinic
Aquifer discovered in the Cascades could be one of the largest in the world

Web

Cascadia Daily News
WA officials push back on Trump executive order on trans athletes
Planning and design of new Whatcom County jail facility anticipated to begin this year
Opinion: Budget crunches shouldn’t put our neediest kids, best teachers last

Cascade PBS
Seattle judge indefinitely halts birthright citizenship order
How a $22M judgment against Cle Elum pushed the city to bankruptcy

MyNorthwest
Why Washington state lawmakers are fighting over ‘parents rights’ again (Stonier)
Justice vs. safety: Washington lawmakers clash over sentencing reform bill (Simmons, Davis)

West Seattle Blog
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday info

Thursday, February 6

Trump signs executive order intended to bar transgender athletes from female sports
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday intended to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. The order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” gives federal agencies wide latitude to ensure entities that receive federal funding abide by Title IX in alignment with the Trump administration’s view, which interprets “sex” as the gender someone was assigned at birth. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Alex Brandon)

Op-Ed: Wealth Tax on Megarich Would Invest in Washington State’s Future
If Trump did pull federal funding from our state, what public services would be compromised? It is hard to forecast, but certainly imperiled are Apple Health, Head Start, the health subsidies for people getting health care through the Health Benefit Exchange, most likely Pell grants for low-income students and federal student loans, free and reduced school lunches, K-12 funding, and the list goes on. Continue reading at The Urbanist. (Legislative Support Services)

WA Senate Democrats approve changes to parents’ ‘bill of rights’
Washington Senate Democrats on Wednesday approved changes to an initiative passed last year that establishes a parental “bill of rights” for families with children in the state’s K-12 schools. When lawmakers passed Initiative 2081 last year, Democrats said that they would likely need to make changes to it in the future, citing confusing language that did not align with other state and federal laws. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Bill Lucia)

Print

Aberdeen Daily World
Ocean Shores, Westport team up to combat erosion
Randall calls on Trump to rescind ‘offer’ to federal employees

Axios
Washington braces for education cuts
Washington state bill aims to support pilots’ mental health (Liias)

Bainbridge Island Review
Permit to purchase firearms proposed in legislation (Lovick)

The Inlander
Spokane leaders reaffirm their commitment to the Keep Washington Working Act amid uncertainty for immigrants and refugees

International Examiner
Tsuru for Solidarity, community members respond to defaced Nihonmachi mural

News Tribune
Tacoma police won’t prioritize arrests of those who use plant psychedelics, city decides
Terminal operator at Tacoma port settles lawsuit that alleged polluting of Puget Sound
Masked ‘bounty hunter’ threats upset Eastern WA town. Does ICE pay private trackers?
What are your rights if you see ICE activity? Recommended safety practices for bystanders
Trump immigration order having negative impacts at Tacoma detention center, lawsuit says
Opinion: Washington’s property tax cap is draining local government. It gets worse every year

New York Times
E.P.A. Demotes Career Employees Overseeing Science, Enforcement and More

Puget Sound Business Journal
Why tariffs could slow new housing production
Even AI companies say no to AI in job applications

Seattle Times
WA sees first whooping cough death in more than a decade
Washington 50501 protest draws crowd of over 1,500 at Capitol
Trump moves to shutter environmental offices across the government
WA Head Start programs shaken in aftermath of Trump funding freeze
ICE contractor flight to Seattle may signal WA detention center will fill up
Sen. Murray blasts Trump administration over funding freezes that affect WA
Editorial: Let EV startups join Tesla in selling cars directly to WA buyers (Doglio, Saldaña)
Opinion: WA lawmakers should approve police bill, keep hiring pipeline full (Dhingra, Lovick)

Spokesman Review
Mayor Lisa Brown waives higher costs to large event organizers in Spokane
Spokane Valley City Council will sue Councilman Al Merkel over Public Records Act fight
Idaho GOP lawmaker wants women charged with murder for seeking abortions, end to exceptions
Washington sports association seeking legal counsel after Trump executive order on trans athletes (Jinkins)
Whitman County imposes wind energy moratorium as developer plans a 45-turbine project near Kamiak Butte

Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber
As schools lose ‘protected’ zone status, VISD starts training staff

Washington Post
How Trump’s return is playing for governors
Here are the words putting science in the crosshairs of Trump’s orders
Judge to hear federal worker union lawsuit with buyout offer set to expire tonight
DOGE agents gain access to OPM data for millions of federal workers, job applicants

WA State Standard
Hundreds gather at Washington state Capitol to protest Trump (Jinkins)
WA Senate Democrats approve changes to parents’ ‘bill of rights’ (Wilson, Stonier, Pedersen)
WA lawmakers and governor are getting big raises. Here’s how much
Washington leaders offer more detail on federal funding blocked by Trump
Seattle judge is second to indefinitely block Trump’s birthright citizenship order
Trump signs executive order banning transgender athletes from women’s school sports

Yakima Herald-Republic
Yakima has a new police chief; City Council approves new pool repair fund

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Nonprofit monitors ICE flights at Boeing Field
Illegal gambling kiosks seized across western Washington
Washington state officials urge caution over ‘misleading’ buyout promise
Statewide student meals initiative in Washington hits legislative challenges (Wellman)
People experiencing homelessness in Seattle find lifeline in severe weather as outreach ramps up

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Patti Jackson named interim Police Chief for Tacoma
Sen. Patty Murray: ‘We are pulling the fire alarm here’
Redmond police use drone to chase shoplifting suspect
Trump’s birthright citizenship order is put on hold by a second federal judge
King County to simplify process for inquests into law enforcement-involved deaths
New executive order streamlines inquests into law enforcement-involved deaths in King County
King County Metro driver’s death highlights urgent security needs as new safety barriers unveiled

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
West Pierce Fire & Rescue welcomes new commissioner
Washington 8th grade math scores decline despite increased education spending
Japan Airlines plane strikes parked Delta jet at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
King County shelters overwhelmed as snow falls; calls grow for more funding, open beds

KUOW Public Radio
New rules mean a new chance for Duwamish recognition
Olympia protest joins national day of action in state capitols across the USA

KXLY (ABC)
Washington Senate passes changes to parental rights in education (Wilson)
New funding to help families across eastern Washington become homeowners

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham citizens join national day of protest against Trump administration

MyNorthwest
Trump signs executive order intended to bar transgender athletes from female sports (Jinkins, Pedersen)
Washington lawmakers push to slash parking requirements, paving way for new housing (Bateman)
Washington bill takes aim at corporate homebuyers, trys to level playing field for families (Alvarado)

The Urbanist
Parking Reform Gains Momentum at Washington Legislature (Bateman)
State Lawmakers Chart Path to Double Amtrak Cascades Service (Reed, Fey)
Op-Ed: Wealth Tax on Megarich Would Invest in Washington State’s Future (Frame, Scott)

Washington Observer
Fencing off private equity from neighborhood real estate (Alvarado)
House weighs new rules for flavored nicotine and tobacco (Reeves, Santos)

Wednesday, February 5

Washington lawmakers weigh new artificial intelligence regulations
Lawmakers are considering four bills on regulating artificial intelligence in Olympia this session. State Rep. Clyde Shavers, D-Clinton, has introduced two bills that would require AI developers to provide ways for users to find out how their images are put together. Meanwhile, state senators Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond, and Tina Wells, D-Des Moines, have sponsored similar bills addressing the use of AI in child porn that have been meshed into one piece of legislation. Rep. Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline, submitted a bill that would forbid forged digital likenesses in certain situations. Continue reading at Cascade PBS. (Richard Drew)

Washington lawmakers consider expanding free food for students
Under current state law, public, charter and state-tribal education compact schools must provide free meals to any Kindergarten through fourth grade student if at least 40% of the school is eligible for free or reduced lunch under federal guidelines. Senate Bill 5352 would expand that benefit to all students, regardless of grade or school population, enabling any student to request a free breakfast or lunch. The state would also provide more reimbursement to public schools to offset the costs. Continue reading at KXLY. (KXLY)

WA Legislature weighs paying parents who care for children with disabilities
Under Washington law, anyone except a legal parent or guardian can get paid to provide personal care — bathing, dressing or managing medical needs — to a child under 18 years old. Parents are eligible for this pay only once their child becomes an adult. Legislation making its way through the Legislature this year is trying to change that. House Bill 1200 and Senate Bill 5211 would require the state’s Developmental Disabilities Administration to ask the federal government for permission to use Washington’s Medicaid funding to pay parents of minors with developmental disabilities. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Katie Scheid)

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Auburn Reporter
Feds fly 110 detained migrants to Washington state, advocacy group says

Axios
Record vacancies hit downtown Seattle
More than 300,000 bird flu cases in Washington

Bellingham Herald
Southeast WA refugee group reeling after Trump orders. 30% of employees cut
Executive order to limit birthright citizenship could have broad impact, WSU professor says
If Canada retaliates against Trump tariffs, how would it impact WA? Here’s what WA exports

Capital Press
China hits back as Trump pauses North American tariffs
Oregon lawmakers weigh fertilizer reporting requirement
Onion growers support tariffs, potato growers not so much
R-CALF, National Farmers Union reach settlement with meat-packer

The Daily News
Cowlitz County, Rainier officials plan for safer roads
Kids can learn to bake, garden, sew, more with Cowlitz County 4-H

Everett Herald
North Everett park could get $345,000 upgrade
Hearing examiner OKs 59-home Marysville development
Protest planned Wednesday at Snohomish County campus
Two bills could ease child care costs for families and boost provider wages (Cortes)
Editorial: Trade war would harm state’s consumers, jobs

Issaquah Reporter
Sustainability 2025: Know Where You Throw

Journal of the San Juan Islands
Proposal loosens controls on birth control prescriptions (Macri)

Kitsap Sun
Law enforcement in Kitsap adhering to state law on immigration enforcement

News Tribune
Former sheriff candidate Patti Jackson appointed Tacoma’s interim police chief
Google asked 15 North American teachers to explore AI. Three are from Pierce County
WA imports $1.3 billion of goods from Mexico. Tariffs would impact these items the most
Trump administration orders purge of some online health data. What will that mean in WA?
Opinion: Tacoma’s Landlord Fairness Code: How is it related to evictions in Pierce County?

New York Times
Judge Blocks Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order Nationwide

Northwest Asian Weekly
Bill to teach Asian American history in the classroom by 2029 introduced to WA Senate (Nobles)

Port Townsend Leader
Tracing the source of the Fort Worden PDA’s financial problems

Seattle Medium
Retired Black Fire Fighters Secure Legal Victory In Property Dispute

Seattle Times
WA ballooning lawsuit settlements, legal costs add to budget woes (Dhingra)
WA governor orders team to study data centers’ energy, tax, jobs impact
A new mental health crisis center in Lynnwood lacks operator, can’t open
Protests against Trump and Project 2025 are planned in cities across the US
Trump will sign an executive order barring transgender female athletes from competing
Editorial: Student test results make it clear: Schools need to change

Skagit Valley Herald
Skagit County sheriff releases statement on immigration enforcement

South Whidbey Record
Electrification, overhead loading planned for Clinton ferry terminal

Spokesman Review
Man suspected of stealing Kalispel Tribe artifacts arrested near Yakima
Post on requirement to notify an example of ‘politics at its worst,’ Democrats say (Stonier, Pedersen, Ortiz-Self)
Maria Cantwell urges U.S. to embrace ‘capitalism in the digital age’ amid Trump’s tariff threats

Tri-City Herald
All 1.1 million WA students would be eligible for free school lunches under proposed law (Riccelli, Berg, Wellman)
Is crime really out of control and Tri-Cities courts are turning loose criminals, as some suggest?

Washington Post
U.S. government officials privately warn Musk’s blitz appears illegal
Republicans quiet as Trump and Musk move to gut some federal agencies

WA State Standard
$156M solar power grant for Washington in limbo after Trump order
WA Legislature weighs paying parents who care for children with disabilities (Taylor, Frame)

Yakima Herald-Republic
Potential trade war could hit Yakima Valley agriculture

Broadcast

KING 5 TV (NBC)
Federal government to reconsider Duwamish Tribe’s status
New bill may impact rideshare costs during World Cup, other major events in Seattle (Alvarado)
King County Metro to install new barriers on buses for driver safety after fatal stabbing

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
WA Senate Democrats propose stricter regulations for ballot measure initiatives

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Issaquah police seek suspects in antisemitic, anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti incidents
Bus drivers urge safety upgrades to combat workplaces violence in King County
Former sheriff candidate Patti Jackson steps in as Tacoma’s interim police chief
Washington House committee holding hearing on bill to protect digital privacy (Kloba)
Seattle shoppers and businesses scramble as egg prices soar due to bird flu impact
From local waters to dinner plates: How the Muckleshoot Tribe helps feed the community
DEA Seattle addresses agency’s involvement in immigration enforcement in the northwest
Parent of South Whidbey student arrested by ICE, district vows to protect school community

KNKX Public Radio
Libraries search for a way to make digital books more affordable

KUOW Public Radio
Bellingham shoppers dubious of US-Canada trade war
Some WA Head Start programs still can’t access federal funds a week after short-lived freeze

KXLY (ABC)
Washington lawmakers consider expanding free food for students (Riccelli, Wellman)
Federal funding freeze could impact $48 million in City of Spokane projects and programs
Most overdose deaths in Spokane County among housed, employed adults, according to new report
‘We’re really concerned’: Washington Head Start programs still experiencing issues following federal funding freeze

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Bellingham office space demand improves, retail suffers

Cascade PBS
Washington lawmakers weigh new artificial intelligence regulations (Shavers, Dhingra, Orwall, Ryu, Kloba)
WA congressional hopeful Joe Kent named to counterterrorism post

MyNorthwest
WA Senate Democrats propose stricter regulations for ballot measure initiatives
Parental rights showdown: WA lawmakers accuse one another of lying about student privacy (Stonier, Pedersen)

The Stranger
Shaun Scott’s Radical Agenda Arrives in Olympia (Scott)

The Urbanist
Op-Ed: Mungia’s Narrow Win Shows Washington Voters Want Sweeping Legal Changes

West Seattle Blog
UPDATE: Light repairs planned during next Highway 99 tunnel closure – which is now postponed
WEST SEATTLE SNOW: School closures/changes for Wednesday, plus weather and traffic/transit info

Tuesday, February 4

Hundreds rally in support of immigrants at Washington state Capitol
Despite threats that immigration enforcement agents might show up, more than 500 immigrant rights advocates from across Washington marched to the state Capitol in Olympia on Thursday. They were there to show support for two bills pending before the Legislature this year that would expand safety net benefits — including health care coverage and unemployment insurance — for immigrants who are in the country without legal authorization. Continue reading at Northwest Public Broadcasting. (Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero)

Tesla is the only EV maker that can sell directly to consumers in WA. Lawmakers might change that
Washington wants more electric vehicles on the road. It’s offered generous incentives for EV buyers and set deadlines barring new gasoline-powered car sales. The next step, some say, is revising a law that does not allow customers to buy an electric vehicle directly from the automaker, instead forcing them to go through a dealership. There’s one notable exception: Tesla. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Rivian)

Step up, WA lawmakers, and finally pass bill to make clergy report abuse
It’s a debate that’s lingered among state lawmakers for about 20 years. In the last two legislative sessions, two bills that would have made clergy members mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect have failed. Now, Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, who sponsored the previous bills, is trying again with Senate Bill 5375. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (campaign)

Print

Axios
18 Republicans cite 1600s case law to defend Trump birthright citizenship order

Bellingham Herald
Whatcom County shelters house hundreds as winter snow, freezing temperatures hit region
Trump administration orders purge of some online health data. What will that mean in WA?

Capital Press
Ag industry groups alarmed by Trump tariffs
Trump’s tariffs on top farm trading partners draw swift reactions

The Daily News
WA bill expected not to affect Cowlitz County medical freedom resolution (Bronoske)

Everett Herald
Snohomish County PUD rates set to increase in April
Northshore school board begins search for new superintendent
Comment: Democrats have a winning issue: drug prices

News Tribune
Opinion: Dueling approaches: Washington considers ranked choice as Wyoming moves to ban it
Opinion: Keeping our kids safe: Addressing dangerous homeless encampments in Washington state

Northwest Asian Weekly
Annual Day of Remembrance for incarcerated Japanese and Japanese Americans to be held on Feb. 8

Olympian
How will Trump’s tariffs affect home prices, construction costs in Washington state?
Trump administration orders purge of some online health data. What will that mean in WA?
New business-sponsored poll shows WA voters think raising taxes, state spending is a ‘bad idea’

Puget Sound Business Journal
University of Washington names new president
Corporate opposition to Seattle tax proposal grows
Private equity real estate group buys Everett apartments
Federal changes create a ‘Wild West’ for employers as high-stakes cases are in limbo
Tacoma’s push to add thousands of affordable housing units by 2028 has been complicated by a sluggish permitting process

Seattle Medium
ICE Arrests Four Criminal Immigrants In Seattle Amid Controversy
Seattle Police Department Achieves First Officer Growth Since 2019
Robert J. Jones Named New President Of University Of Washington
Attorneys General Condemn Trump’s Orders Against DEIA Programs
Rep. Debra Entenman’s Conversation With Larry Jefferson, Director Of The Office Of Public Defense (Entenman)

Seattle Times
Trump preps order to dismantle Education Dept. as DOGE probes data
WA Legislature considers in-car speed limiters to help curb traffic deaths (Leavitt)
Research illuminates growing extinction threat for southern resident orcas
Opinion: Sensible WA tenancy laws will help housing stability
Editorial: Step up, WA lawmakers, and finally pass bill to make clergy report abuse (Frame)

Skagit Valley Herald
State sells retired ferry used in San Juan Island runs

Spokesman Review
Washington AG cautions federal workers on buyout offer
Downtown Spokane convenience stores asked to remove single-serving alcohol
Spokane cracks down on ‘predatory’ sale of crack pipes in downtown convenience stores
State Rep. Mike Volz appointed Spokane County Treasurer, replacing Michael Baumgartner
Trump tariffs target Washington’s top three export markets. Here’s how that might change your bills

Tri-City Herald
‘A Day Without Immigrants.’ Tri-Cities stores, restaurants close for nationwide protest

Washington Post
China strikes back at Trump’s tariffs with levies on U.S. imports
RFK Jr. passes key HHS confirmation hurdle with Senate panel vote
Trump preps order to dismantle Education Dept. as DOGE probes data
Red states eye moves to fingerprint children, certify bounty hunters in immigration crackdown

WA State Standard
Feds fly 110 detained migrants to Washington state, advocacy group says
Tesla is the only EV maker that can sell directly to consumers in WA. Lawmakers might change that (Doglio, Saldana)

Wenatchee World
Cantwell introduces act to improve wildfire forecasting tools
Wenatchee Valley businesses join nationwide ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ protest

Yakima Herald-Republic
MultiCare Yakima Memorial, other hospitals statewide helped by Medicaid payment boost

Broadcast

KIRO 7 TV (CBS)
Mount Vernon student arrested after bringing gun to school
University of Washington names Illinois Chancellor Robert J. Jones as next President

KOMO 4 TV (ABC)
Rate increases approved for Snohomish PUD electric customers
Washington’s first electric fire truck unveiled with $1M federal investment
Washington state’s $29 billion Canada trade link at risk by ongoing tariff disputes
Community voices safety concerns after Seattle police prostitution sting nets 9 arrests
UW names Robert J. Jones as first African American president, making historic milestone

KUOW Public Radio
Clergy would be required to report child abuse, under new bill (Frame)
Should Washington cities cut down on parking spots required at new developments?

KXLY (ABC)
Man accused of shooting Spokane 8th grader appears in court
Spokane City Council votes to restrict alcohol sales downtown

NW Public Radio
Hundreds rally in support of immigrants at Washington state Capitol
Inspectors find 21 gallons of invasive mussels on tugboat outside of Spokane

Web

Cascadia Daily News
Cloud Mountain Farm Center stops fruit production amid funding woes
Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico after they pledge to boost border enforcement

Cascade PBS
Seattle City Council starts prepping for impact of Trump’s orders
University of Washington names Robert J. Jones as new president
Tacoma ICE center company sues to block inspection records release

MyNorthwest
Washington superintendent discusses ICE, budget deficit

The Urbanist
How Much Housing Growth Should Seattle Be Targeting?

West Seattle Blog
Duwamish Tribe wins new chance at federal recognition
TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, SCHOOLS, TRANSIT: Tuesday info
WEDNESDAY: Your chance to speak at City Council’s public hearing on proposed rezoning and other Comprehensive Plan changes

Monday, February 3

In-car speed limiters considered as option to tackle rise in WA traffic deaths
“This intentional behavior weaponizes vehicles, turning them into missiles, more dangerous than bullets,” Smith Hudson’s father, Ted Smith, told the state House Transportation Committee on Thursday. “We need stiff consequences for these thrill seekers, and we must use any tools available to detect and stop this from happening again.”A bill the committee heard Thursday aims to do that. House Bill 1596, tentatively named the Andrea Smith Hudson Act, would allow drivers with a suspended license to still be able to drive despite a history of street racing or excessive speeding, defined as 20 mph over the speed limit. Continue reading at The Washington State Standard. (Thurston County Sheriff Office)

Washington House committee advances controversial firearm bills amid heated debate
The Washington State House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee held a crucial executive session on Friday, where lawmakers debated and voted on three major firearm-related bills. These proposals address firearm purchase permits, ammunition sales restrictions and measures to curb firearm theft from vehicles. Continue reading at MyNorthwest. (Rod Waddington)

Make selection of state university presidents transparent
Sponsored by Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle, the bill would require universities to make the job finalists available to the public in an open forum. The meeting would allow questions from the public, including students and faculty. An expert in hiring of college presidents said campus visits before hiring ultimately are best for the university. Continue reading at The Seattle Times. (Lawrence Kreisman)